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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post Survival Planning - The Argument Against Precious Metals: "Let me explain why "profit" entered into the discussion of buying silver or gold. I held a substantial amount of gold and silver for about 22 years. I did finally sell it at a profit and I'm happy I did. Had I invested it during those "go-go" years I would have about four times as much money from that investment. I don't care if you are rich or poor having four times as much money to prepare for bad times is, well it's four times better then what ever you have. Until you have held your gold and silver for 22 years with no chance to sell it at a profit or even break even then you do not know about the second thoughts and self doubts.”
“During the entire time I held that gold and silver I NEVER had a year’s supply of food. Today I have a lot of food and a lot of other preps but no gold and silver. Ask me if I believe I am better prepared today or when I had 150 pounds of precious metal in safe deposit boxes!!! Now, I believe in PM's and if things get really bad I am willing to trade some food for junk silver, silver rounds and gold. I am not willing to buy another 150 lbs of PMs and wait another 22 years to get my money back. At some point in the future things will get better (I hope! They could get so bad we are all dead). But if things get better it is likely all of you who invested in PMs will get the opportunity I had and that is to hold your PMs for years and years without any hope of ever getting all your money back.”
UrbanMan replies: Okay “Mr. Anonymous I don’t believe in PM’s”, your point is taken and certainly valid. My plan is to have PM’s pre-need, meaning I am holding mostly Silver, junk and bullion, in case the dollar collapses and I need to buy something when fiat currency is not accepted.
I am not holding such a vast amount as to put a burden on me if I have to execute an emergency Bug Out.
At some point we preppers prioritize our procurement and readiness, however I am comfortable with the amount and types of food I have put away; the type of firearms and amounts of ammunition I own; and the general other preps I have undertaken.
I just think we are looking at PM’s from different perspectives: You - as a valid or invalid investment; and me - as a small part, but a necessary component of an overall SHTF insurance plan. I hope this is all for nothing,...I hope to pass my silver bullion, silver coins I have compiled for silver melt value and the tiny amount of gold I have onto my family decades from now.
Recently the website urbandangers.com was brought to my attention. Urban Danger is releasing a film entitled "Urban Danger" which they bill as a product far from a “survivalist” film, but one that takes a common-sense look at our roots, finding practical solutions to problems we face today. In the film you will meet many people from all walks of life who show you the common-sense preparations they are making for difficult times ahead. And in the process, they have found a superior quality of life. They have found what “real living” is all about.
As I have written before, it isn't about "Survival", it's about "Surviving with as much quality of life or with the least amount of disruption possible." To be sure, we really cannot predict the amount of changes that will occur, only time will tell.
You can go to the website and order the DVD or watch it on-line. UrbanDanger.com advertises the following concerning the movie:
The Dangers
On this DVD you will find information about the dangers we are facing. We must understand the problem before we can work on a solution. The problems range from massive chemical exposure to nutritionally empty food. From crime and violence to utter dependence on large corporations for necessities of life. From impure air and water to debilitating levels of stress. And from threatened terrorist attacks to an almost total loss of connection with our Maker. And the list goes on...
While almost all of these dangers are much more acute in urban and suburban areas, some may affect even those living in country areas if they have not taken the proper precautions. So before we cover the solutions, let's gain a better understanding of the problems.
While Urban Danger does look at some of the problems and hazards facing city dwellers, its main thrust is finding solutions to the problem. If you are unsure or at all skeptical about the dangers of urban areas, you should check out another great DVD that has been recently released:
America's Cities: The Coming Crisis - Expert witness from extremely credible people is found on this powerful movie regarding the precarious and perilous position our cities are in. It is a must see.
The Solutions
Solutions--that is what this website is all about. Can we do anything or do we simply give up and try to not think about the dangers? Friends, there IS something you can do! Some of the solutions are surprisingly simple, some may take a little more effort. But all will be well worth it! Remember, this is not only about trying to survive from the many perils, this is about quality of life. This is about getting back to basics. About actually having a family once again. About providing the best possible environment for you and your children to develop in. About being able to help others in times of need rather than being the one helped. About giving rather than receiving!
The dangers are certainly an impetus for us to act and act now! But even without all of these dangers, making the move to change your lifestyle yields such a multitude of blessings that it would still be well worth it. If you haven't gathered it by now, the solution is about much more than simply relocating down the road. It is a change of pace. Removing stress from one's life. Re-assessing your priorities in life. Placing God first in your life and your family next, with everything else taking its rightful place behind. Taking responsibility for your family's necessities of life. Not being imprudent enough to depend on the systems of the world to provide those necessities. And sharing the blessings you have found with as many as you can. This is the solution.
Below you will find a number of main categories which contain practical information on how you can take action and provide a proactive solution for your family before it is too late.
The below video gives the read some insight into the UrbanDanger.com products.
Anonymous sent the following comment about Lever Guns vice Assault Rifles: ” Over the course of a few weeks I have read a number of posts here about weapons. I have most examples mentioned in my gun safes, yet as a non-threatening and effective "Urban Assault Rifle" my Henry in 44 mag combines a short range, hard hitting cartridge with adequate firepower, with a non-threatening appearance. I do not believe that you must prepare for combat when SHTF, You must (however) be prepared to move, defend you and yours and remain as stealthy as possible until you reach your safe location or button down your home. After that, out will come my M-14, AR and AK with all mags loaded and ready to go. For quick emergency situations I believe not having to carry multiple magazines with their attendant bulk could be an advantage in quick, quiet movement. TTFN.”
UrbanMan’s reply: While I am not usually walking or driving around with a M-4 carbine and assault vest in my backseat, I think I am prepared or as prepared as I am willing to be, protection wise, on a daily basis,....but that changes as the situation changes. As my routine, tasks or destinations change and as the situation changes, I re-assess and make the necessary changes in my preparation level.
At home my standard readiness is several loaded handguns and flashlights situated around the house and a double barreled 12 gauge shotgun near the bed. I have my M-4’s and other guns in the next room, in gun safes. In each gun safe are ammunition cans. In the case of the M-4 “ready can”, I have 600 rounds of ammunition and six empty 20 round P-Mags as well as a 30 round H&K steel magazine partially loaded with 10 rounds.
I have boxes of ammunition in the safe for each of the guns I have there, which incidentally include some lever guns – they just are neat guns aren’t they?
Changes I also make are my protocols based on where I am going, the current situation and just my general “spidy sense”. These protocols include communications and no-communications plan with the family and a few selective friends; it includes what other kit I am putting in my vehicle; the routes I take on routine and non-routine errands or general travel.
Recently I made a trip via vehicle that was about 700 miles each way. I rented a car and put two (empty) 2.5 gallon gas cans in the trunk and my siphon kit – just in case. I put my M-4 and a chest rig in a bag in the back seat with a 5.11 Rush 24 bag that is one of my Bug Out bags. I also carried a Glock 19 and eight 1 ounce silver rounds. I left a route plan with my family and e-mailed it to two friends. Cell phone was fully charged, as it would be for the return drive. I was leaving on a Thursday morning and coming back on a Sunday and I just wanted to be prepared in case any financial collapse, self –induced or caused by outside entities, occurring on the Friday which is a prime day for these events to happen.
If I got stranded and had to start moving on foot, I would call family and friends and establish contact times so I could turn my cell phone off and conserve battery time as I moved.
So I guess have a slightly different point of view. I don’t think I’m ultra paranoid it’s just from my experience which includes losing a couple of close friends to hostile fire. I think a small amount of planning and preparation goes along way. So I don’t phrase my preps as preparing for “combat”,……am I prepared for what I assess the situation requires and to the extent I am comfortable with.
And lever guns, or anything else that isn't magazine fed or of a sufficient caliber are not for the highest threat environments.
If you are not preparing now, you are in fact just plain crazy! Just too many instances of facts, warnings and predictions for all but the thickest rose colored glasses to ignore.
NYU Professor Nouriel Roubini has seized the headlines again, warning that a "perfect storm" of economic disasters may smash the global economy in 2013. Roubini's perfect storm consists of four factors:
-The U.S. 's basket-case of an economy and budget deficit,
-A potential slowdown in China,
-European debt restructuring and
-Stagnation in Japan.
One problem that seems undeniable is the European debt crisis, which has defied all attempts to paper it over and kick the can down the road. Greece is broke, and no serious analyst thinks it will ever be able to pay back its debts. Roubini says "Everybody's kicking the can down the road of too much public and private debt. The can is becoming heavier and heavier, and bigger on debt, and all these problems may come to a head by 2013 at the latest."
50% more people are borrowing from their 401K plans. Some doing it as a source of immediate cash and others to fund survival preparation.
Two months ago the United States total crude oil imports averaged slightly over 9,000 thousand barrels per day with the top five exporting countries being Canada (near 30%), Mexico (near 15%), Saudi Arabia (near 12%), Venezuela (near 10%) and Nigeria (near 10%),......only two of the five states can be described as remotely stable. Upon a dollar collapse, fuel imports will drastically rise in price. We are surely in for a beating.
And now we have mainstream people talking about chaos and violence in the U.S. upon an economic collapse.
